Creator’s guide: 6 best places to share affiliate links for maximum earnings

Creator Essi Crana hit $10,000 in monthly affiliate earnings in just 8 months. Starting from zero. Her secret? Smart link placement that converts. 

And she’s not alone—creators everywhere are turning authentic recommendations into serious revenue. 

Ready to join them? 

This guide reveals the six highest-converting spots for your affiliate links and promo codes. Transform your product picks into reliable income, backed by data from today’s top creators.

Table of contents:

• How creators earn with affiliate marketing
  • Ways to earn
  • 3 common compensation types
  • Keeping affiliate links FTC-compliant
• The top 6 places to share your affiliate links and promo codes
  • Social media content
  • Direct messages
  • Storefronts
  • Social media shopping features
  • Blogs
  • Messaging apps

How do creators earn with affiliate marketing? 

Affiliate marketing for creators is a revenue strategy where influencers earn commissions by promoting products through tracked links and promo codes.

It’s simple: You work with brands that resonate with your style, and your recommendations become a source of income. Every click or sale adds up, so you can earn in sync with your content.

Affiliate marketing shines when you promote products you genuinely love. It effortlessly blends into your content, ensuring brand deals feel genuine and resonate with your audience. 

Ways to earn

Affiliate links are the most common way to earn. Brands give you a trackable link. Then, you earn a commission whenever your audience clicks, signs up, or purchases through your link.

This format shines in evergreen content. As people search for and find your posts over time, your links continue bringing in passive income.

Sweet Motherly peppers her Facebook page with affiliate links to her outfit pieces so style-loving consumers can emulate her looks.

Promo codes are the other common format used. Brands give creators special codes to share. Everyone loves a discount and it also builds trust.

These codes can be: 

• Generic: The brand provides a generic code to promote a certain product or campaign.
• Personalized: The brand generates a unique code that you can use for a longer period. 

Generic codes are perfect for quick, temporary content such as Instagram Stories. If you want to use it in longer-lasting content, ask the brand for a custom code that stays active for an extended period.

Dani Austin Ramirez spreads the love in her Instagram post description with a unique promo code for Divi’s Whipped Repair Treatment Mask.

3 common compensation types for influencer affiliates

There are three main commission types:

1. Cost per action (CPA): You earn a slice of each sale through your link or sale using your promo code. It could be a percentage or a flat fee, so if consumers buy, you’re stacking up commissions.
2. Cost per click (CPC): This one’s simple—you get paid each time someone clicks your link. The earnings might seem small at first, but it adds up faster than you’d think.
3. Cost per lead (CPL): You are rewarded for each person who signs up through your link. This is perfect if you’re reaching people just starting their search. 

Source: What brands want: building successful creator partnerships

If you’re after more consistent income, consider negotiating a hybrid deal. 

You’ll get a flat fee upfront, with the chance to stack commissions on top. It’s a win-win that gives you a steadier flow of earnings. Plus, brands prefer this hybrid compensation type.

Commission-based deals can also open the door to flat fee deals. Start with affiliate links or promo codes to show your impact on sales, then dig into your analytics and highlight conversions to justify a flat fee.

Keeping affiliate links FTC-compliant

Before sharing affiliate links, understand the Federal Trade Commission’s disclosure requirements:

• State affiliate relationships clearly and conspicuously near the top of content
• Use clear language like “This post contains affiliate links. I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
• Add disclosures in social media bios and at the start of videos
• Maintain disclosures across all platforms where you share affiliate links

You should always include a disclosure—even when using #ad or #sponsored.

Example disclosure formats include:

• Blog posts: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
• Social posts: “Contains affiliate links” or “Affiliate link”
• Videos: Verbal disclosure in first 30 seconds + written disclosure in the description

Hes Kicks’ video about comfortable sneakers includes an affiliate link disclosure in his script and the description.

The top 6 places to share creator affiliate links and promo codes

Maximizing your earnings with affiliate links and promo codes starts with knowing where to drop them.

Here are the top six prime spots to reach the right audience and boost your earnings. 

1. Social media content

Social media is a playground for building authentic connections. Casual scrollers can become enthusiastic fans who trust and act on your recommendations—making it a goldmine for sharing links and promo codes.

How to share affiliate links on social

Link in bio

Put your top link in your bio for quick access, and update it with your latest must-haves or collabs.

Chizoba Uwakwe promotes her partnership with Whole Foods Catering by inviting people to check out a sign-up link in her bio.  

Link in posts

Mention the product in your caption, giving viewers an easy way to click-through and check it out.

Richard Walls has packed the description of his YouTube video about helpful online courses with relevant affiliate links and promo codes.

Stickers in Stories

Use link stickers to quickly and simply direct people to your recommendations. Stories let you share links hourly, making them a quick, digestible alternative to standard social media posts.

Melissa Radke sprinkles affiliate links and promo codes into her regular Story content, amping up the fun and strengthening the bond with her audience.

Why social media links are a win

Promoting your links works best when it fits naturally with your content. You’re talking to people who already love what you do, so it feels genuine and inspired—not forced.

Source: The State of Influencer Marketing for Consumers

2. Direct messages

Direct messages (DMs) are where those one-on-one connections happen. Dive into personal recommendations and give people the links they’re asking for. It’s easy, casual, and feels like a personal tip from a friend.

How to use DMs for sharing links

• Personal DMs: Send tailored messages with links directly to those who ask for recommendations. 
• Comment-to-DM links: Use tools like ManyChat and LinkDM to automatically send links when someone comments on your post. 

Cassie Scroggins uses automated tools to slide her outfit links straight into follower DMs. 

Why DMs are a win

DMs feel exclusive, like a VIP line straight to your audience. With auto-response features, sharing links is quick and hassle-free. 

Plus, this approach works for everyone who reaches out—you can give them exactly what they want.

Source: Grow AI

3. Storefronts

Storefronts are your personal shop, stocked with all your favorite finds in one convenient place.

Think of it as curating a virtual mini-mall. They can browse everything you love—without hunting through a bunch of different sites. It’s a game-changer for building that “I gotta have it!” connection with your audience.

4 popular storefront options to check out

• Amazon Shop: A classic go-to for sharing products in multiple categories—from your top tech picks to beauty must-haves.
• Walmart Storefront: With one simple click, people can shop all your favorite items.
• Target Shop: Great for everyday essentials and affordable finds that keep people coming back.
• LTK Shop: A one-stop spot to link all the items in your feed, from cozy home decor to the latest beauty faves.

Stefana Silber handpicks products through different storefronts. Three of them are showcased here: Target Shop, Amazon Storefront, and Walmart Shop. 

Why storefronts are a win

Your audience can shop exactly what you love. They’re never left wondering, “Where’d they get that?” You’ve already curated the goods, making it easy for them to buy directly from your picks. 

Plus, it keeps everything organized, builds trust, and ups your sales potential by bringing your recommendations into one super-accessible spot. 

Source: The State of Influencer Marketing for Consumers

4. Social media shopping features

Consumers can browse, tap, and buy—without leaving the platform. Adding product tags or shopping links directly alongside your content turns scrolling into a live shopping experience.

2 popular social media shopping features

1. TikTok Shop

Tag products in your videos so viewers can check out directly on TikTok.

Street Life to the Sweet Life highlights Zesty Paws Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil in their pet content with TikTok Shop. 

2. YouTube Shopping

Add product links to your videos, letting viewers shop while they watch.

Leah Janae uses YouTube Shopping to provide a smooth shopping experience for viewers looking to buy the latest scents from Bath & Body Works.

Why social shopping is a win

Keep your audience hooked with seamless shopping—no extra steps needed. Direct purchase options mean people can go from curious to checkout in seconds, making it easy for you to earn.

Source: eMarketer

5. Blogs 

Blogs are a goldmine for sharing affiliate links in a helpful way. Successful blog posts keep it real by seamlessly weaving links into stories. 

Chatting about your travel adventures? Drop in a link to your hotel. Sharing your excursion outfit? Hook them up with links to the trip and your look.

Some popular blog formats that promote affiliate products effectively include:

• Product comparisons: Line up similar products, share the pros and cons, and help your readers make an informed decision. 
• Product reviews: Give your honest take on a product, diving into what you liked (or didn’t) and giving specific examples of how it could benefit readers.
• How-to guides: Empower readers to tackle tasks like a pro with step-by-step instructions that weave in products they need.
• Listicles: Keep readers locked in with a hit list of your top picks.
• Gift guides: Make shopping a breeze with your curated collection of perfect present ideas for any occasion. 

Experiment with different formats and mix your affiliate links with regular links. It can turn your content from simple storytelling into an exciting platform that sparks action.

Chris & Julia work affiliate links in different blog post types, such as how-to’s and gift guides. 

How to integrate affiliate content into blogs

Use text links

Drop the product link into your sentences so it’s easy for your readers to click-through.

Hamilton Park Home sneaks in affiliate links while guiding readers through a fun Samsung Frame lookalike DIY.

Add hyperlinked photos

Make your recommendations visually appealing by linking images to product pages.

The Maternal Method spices up her collagen and pregnancy blog post by making supplement images clickable affiliate links.

Include promo codes

Give back to your readers by sharing discount codes where they make sense in your post.

In her blog on how to look expensive without breaking the bank, Sipping on Champagne drops her exclusive LilySilk discount code.

Feature widgets

Keep your blog visually interesting and interactive with product sliders or widgets that showcase multiple items in one place. 

Musings by Madison jazzes up her blog feed with widgets to create more conversion opportunities.

Ads

Keep your blog visually engaging by adding banner ads or sidebars linking to affiliate products or brands. 

Jessica N. Turner’s blog sidebar features ads that show readers products they love as they consume her content. 

Why blogs are a win

Blogs build a more personal connection with your readers, helping your recommendations feel genuine. And because blog content sticks around, those links keep earning long after you hit publish. 

Plus, you own your blog. By creating content in your own space, you don’t have to rely solely on social media algorithms to increase your affiliate earnings.

6. Messaging apps

Messaging apps might seem a little “off the beaten path,” but they open the door to close relationships. Direct interactions give you an instant connection with your audience and real-time reactions to your recommendations. 

Here’s how creators use messaging to share links:

• WeChat: Perfect for connecting with international audiences, especially where the app is popular.
• Your own app: You could launch a custom app for exclusive access to products, content, and offers—all in one spot.
• Text your creator: Set up a “text your creator” number for direct updates so people feel like they have a VIP line to you.

Konstantinos Synodinos has an exclusive group that could allow him to share targeted affiliate links with an opted-in audience.

Why messaging apps are a win

Messaging feels up-close and personal, creating immediate engagement. High open rates mean your links get prime visibility, increasing the chances people see and act on them.

Source: SlickText

How can creators generate affiliate links and promo codes with impact.com?

Using a partnerships platform like impact.com gives you all the tools you need to start earning affiliate income. 

With access to a range of brands and products, you can easily create unique links to share with your audience and start earning commissions on what you love.

Creating affiliate links

Once accepted into a brand’s program on impact.com, you can effortlessly generate various affiliate links.

The first type of link you can generate is a campaign link. These are links for a particular marketing initiative that a creator is working on with a brand.

You can accurately track your sales or leads, ensuring you receive the right commissions. Use high traffic or conversion rates to negotiate with brands and unlock higher commissions or bonuses.

Our PXA course “The Creator’s Guide to Driving Results with impact.com / creator” shows how to produce timely links tied to campaigns.

You can also create evergreen affiliate links that allow you to promote a brand or product over a long period. Unlike campaign links, they aren’t tied to specific marketing initiatives.

Evergreen links are great for ongoing promotion and passive income. They work best in content that stays useful over time, such as tutorials, reviews, or resource guides.

See how to create evergreen affiliate links in our PXA course “The Creator’s Guide to Driving Results with impact.com / creator.”

You can also generate affiliate links on the go with the impact.com Mobile App. Dive into the Product Marketplace to grab trackable links directly on your phone and share them with your audience quickly.

Our PXA course reveals how you can maximize earnings on the go with the impact.com Mobile App.

With all your links at the ready, you can start sharing them in your posts, Stories, and other content. Every click and purchase counts, making turning your recommendations into earnings easy.

Creating promo codes

Promo codes are another powerful tool for boosting affiliate income. Brands on impact.com can share general promo codes, and some even allow you to create custom codes. 

Promo codes make offering exclusive discounts easy, building trust and encouraging purchases.

Some brands offer general promo codes that you can use right away. 

Once approved to join a brand’s program, you can quickly grab general promo codes in the impact.com platform.

You can also request a promo code for your partnership directly on the platform. 

With impact.com, it’s super easy to request unique promo codes from the brands you’re partnered with.

Turn your recommendations into revenue with impact.com

Affiliate marketing is a great way to grow your income as a creator. By choosing the right channels—whether it’s your blog, social media, storefronts, or DMs—you can share links and promo codes in ways that feel natural to you.

Ready to start landing deals that fit your style? Sign up for the impact.com Marketplace to find brands that get you. With tools for creating links, tracking earnings, and managing your partnerships, it’s easy to make affiliate marketing work for you.

Related reading: 

• How to earn big with affiliate marketing for influencers with Maryandpalettes (blog)
• Your simple 5-step guide to creating an influencer media kit [+ free template] (blog)
• Creator analytics: How to prove your worth to land and keep more brand deals (blog)

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